Daniel Defoe
Full Name and Common Aliases
Daniel Defoe, born Daniel Foe, is a name that resonates through the annals of English literature. Often referred to as the father of the English novel, Defoe's contributions to literature and journalism have left an indelible mark on the world. He occasionally used the pen name "Eye Witness" for some of his works, reflecting his keen observational skills and journalistic prowess.
Birth and Death Dates
Daniel Defoe was born in the year 1660 in the bustling city of London, England. His life spanned a period of significant change and development in English society, and he passed away on April 24, 1731.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Defoe was English by nationality, and his professional life was as varied as it was influential. He was a writer, journalist, and pamphleteer, known for his pioneering work in the novel form. Additionally, Defoe was a merchant and spy, roles that enriched his understanding of the world and informed his writing.
Early Life and Background
Daniel Defoe was born into a family of Dissenters, a Protestant group that separated from the Church of England. His father, James Foe, was a butcher and a candle maker, and he instilled in young Daniel the values of hard work and perseverance. Defoe's education was at a Dissenting academy, where he received a robust grounding in subjects like history, geography, and modern languages, which would later influence his writing.
Despite his family's modest means, Defoe was ambitious and ventured into the world of commerce. He experienced both success and failure in business, which provided him with a wealth of experiences that he would later draw upon in his literary career.
Major Accomplishments
Daniel Defoe's most significant accomplishment was his role in shaping the modern novel. His innovative approach to storytelling, characterized by detailed realism and a focus on individual experience, set a new standard for narrative fiction. Defoe's work as a journalist and pamphleteer also marked him as a significant figure in the development of English journalism. He was a prolific writer, producing over 500 books, pamphlets, and journals on a wide range of topics, from politics to crime to religion.
Notable Works or Actions
Defoe's most famous work, "Robinson Crusoe", published in 1719, is often credited as the first English novel. The story of a castaway's survival on a deserted island captivated readers and established Defoe as a master storyteller. Another notable work, "Moll Flanders", published in 1722, explored themes of crime, poverty, and redemption through the life of its eponymous heroine. Defoe's ability to create complex, relatable characters and his keen insight into human nature are evident in these works.
In addition to his novels, Defoe's journalistic endeavors, such as his work on "The Review", a periodical he founded in 1704, showcased his sharp wit and political acumen. His writings often addressed pressing social issues, reflecting his deep engagement with the world around him.
Impact and Legacy
Daniel Defoe's impact on literature and journalism is profound. He is credited with popularizing the novel as a literary form, paving the way for future generations of writers. His emphasis on realism and character development influenced countless authors, including Charles Dickens and Mark Twain. Defoe's journalistic work also laid the groundwork for modern investigative reporting, with his commitment to truth and detail setting a high standard for the field.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Daniel Defoe is widely quoted and remembered for his pioneering contributions to literature and journalism. His ability to capture the human experience with authenticity and depth resonates with readers and writers alike. Defoe's works, particularly "Robinson Crusoe," continue to be studied and celebrated for their narrative innovation and exploration of themes such as survival, identity, and morality. His insightful observations on society and human nature, often expressed through memorable quotes, have ensured his place in the literary canon and continue to inspire and provoke thought in audiences worldwide.
Quotes by Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe's insights on:
The best of men cannot suspend their fate: The good die early, and the bad die late.
Men did then no more die by tale and by number. They might put out a weekly bill, and call them seven or eight thousand, or what they pleased; ’tis certain they died by heaps, and were buried by heaps, that is to say, without account.
But as a fool is the worst of husbands to do a woman good, so a fool is the worst husband a woman can do good to.
It was now that I began sensibly to feel how much more happy this life I now led was, with all its miserable circumstances, than the wicked, cursed, abominable life I led all the past part of my days; and now I changed both my sorrows and my joys; my very desires altered, my affections changed their gusts, and my delights were perfectly new from what they were at my first coming, or, indeed, for the two years past.
All possible care, however, has been taken to give no lewd ideas, no immodest turns in the new dressing up of this story; no, not to the worst parts of her expressions. To this purpose some of the vicious part of her life, which could not be modestly told, is quite left out, and several other parts are very much shortened.
How infinitely good that Providence is which has provided, in its government of mankind, such narrow bounds to his sight and knowledge of things; and though he walks in the midst of so many thousand dangers, the sight of which, if discovered to him, would distract his mind and sink his spirits, he is kept serene and calm by having the events of things hid from his eyes, and knowing nothing of the dangers which surround him!
So little do we see before us in the world and so much reason have we to depend cheerfully upon the great Maker of the world, that He does not leave His creatures so absolutely destitute but that in the worst circumstances they have always something to be thankful for, and sometimes are nearer their deliverance than they imagine; nay, are even brought to their deliverance by the means by which they seem to be brought to destruction.